Why NOT to work harder! Follow me... Part 1; Update 2

**Check out the INTRO BLOG POST to this article here**

I just wanted to provide a brief outline for those thinking of re-launching or refreshing their business along with TC.  This is a broad overview and their will be many posts on each topic in the months to come.

1. Products/Services: are you offering anything new?  Any services your clients just may not be aware that you offer?  What's your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)?
2. Fees: Set your fees and stick to them especially in a service business.  Some will try to chew you down constantly.  Think of your time, and ask yourself if they would do the same for you.
3. Systems: Can you handle more business with the current systems in place?  Do you have enough help?  Will more leads mean you have to work 16 hour days?
4. Brand: Either re-launch the brand you have if you like it and feel that it resonates with your clients, or refresh your image.  You should have a professional set of marketing materials including a logo, business card, envelopes, letterhead and website.  The image you portray should be the same over EVERY medium.
5. Business Plan: What's your goal with this re-launch/refresh? Where do you want your business to be in 1, 5, 10, 15 years and how are you going to get there?  All questions that must be answered.
6. Marketing Plan: How are you going to get new clients?  Referrals?  Repeat business?  Do you eliminate print advertising completely in today's Internet age?  How important are professional ad campaigns versus ones designed by yourself?
7. Implementation:  It's great that you have it all down on paper.  Businesses that do that are way ahead of the mark.  Now, you need to implement it.  This can be the hardest step for some.  They key is consistency over time.  Committing to something for two, or even six months isn't going to change anything.

Print this out and scribble notes as ideas pop into your head.  This is the brainstorming phase. Feel free to share any of your ideas.

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me...Part 1 Update 1

Well, it's been a productive couple of days...

All my rates and fees are updated.

• I finally finished my Facebook Fanpage.
• Sent out this months email newsletter introducing my newest goal and asking people to follow along with the blog.

Next tasks on my list include:

• Contacting all current clients about the changes. Can't wait for that, ugh!
• Re-brand all marketing material: Business cards & Facebook page match...Now for Letterhead, Envelopes, Brochures, Flyers, Newsletters, WEB SITE (that will be a long process) & various other forms.
• Sending new business cards to all clients reminding them about "Referral Rewards" ($25 credit with TC for any new client referral).
• Just got a phone call to be a guest speaker on a conference call about Facebook Marketing for Realtors. Awesome! Now for an outline. I will make this available online as well (once conference call is over).
• Systematize my services. I need to have outlines and processes for all services provided.
• Create new forms, website pages, etc to better explain what TC can do for small businesses.

My determination and motivation has jumped through the roof with this blog idea. Knowing that I have to update every couple of days keeps me on track. Good idea on my part; if I do say so myself :)

 

Please post your progress, ideas, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing everyones progress.

 

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me...

Recently, a friend on Facebook posted about how the businesses that tried the hardest, gave 110%, were going to be the ones that succeeded.  And it got me thinking...Does that really sound right?  At face value, but something bugged me about it.  Maybe it was the fact that I never saw the "Work Hard = Profits" equation in my economics class, or maybe it was because I've been working hard for years and feel like my business isn't growing as fast as I would like.  Something's fishy...

So, I decided to commit myself, 110%, to doing what will truly grow my business.  I'm not going to be working harder, I'm going to be working smarter!

Hopefully you will follow me on this journey.  Subscribe to my blog and grow your business along with me.  I'm going to need you guys to hold me accountable and I am more than willing to do the same for you.

Once every two weeks I'm going to post about the work that I've done to seriously grow my business.  Take the tips and use them in your business.  This isn't hard.  It's about having a plan and sticking to it.

First Goal: Revamp current business rates and procedures. 

I've decided that I'm not working for free anymore.  I'm so busy everyday doing work that never pays.  Forget it!  I'm done with it.  I've got a family to feed and take care of just like everyone else. 

New contracts will be signed, rates set and procedures outlined so all parties know what to expect when they work with TC.

Lets get this journey started.  I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to start making some real profits, all while NOT working harder!

PS.  I've got two businesses I'm going to be working on.  My marketing business - TC Business Management, LLC www.TCMandD.com - and my online classified site - PA E Seller  PAESeller.com (which I've ignored since inception).  This plan will work for any business with just some minor tweaking.  B2B or B2C.